‘The high point of Edward Bawden’s career as a muralist was achieved in the series of three murals – two for the Orient Line andone for the Festival of Britain – painted in the late 1940s and early 1950s, when his skill, wit and sheer inventiveness were at theirpeak. These three murals – English Garden Delights, The English Pub and English Country Life – were united not only by theirformat but also by subject matter; both Colin Anderson and the organisers of the Festival set out to celebrate Britishness and torejoice unashamedly in the fact that despite the depredations of war the country was once again reasserting its historic virtues, lifeand culture.’ (Petyon Skipwith, British Murals & Decorative Painting 1920-1960, Sansom & Co, p.245).